Ruwenzori sun squirrel

Ruwenzori sun squirrel
Systematics
Subordination :	Squirrel relatives (Sciuromorpha)
Family :	Squirrel (Sciuridae)
Subfamily :	Ground Squirrel (Xerinae)
Tribe :	Protoxerini
Genre :	Sun squirrel ( Heliosciurus )
Type :	Ruwenzori sun squirrel
Scientific name
	Heliosciurus ruwenzorii
	( Schwann , 1904)

The Ruwenzori sun squirrel ( Heliosciurus ruwenzorii ) is a species of squirrel from the genus of the sun squirrel ( Heliosciurus ). It occurs in the mountainous regions in the border area between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the neighboring states of Uganda , Rwanda and Burundi in Central Africa.

features

The Ruwenzori sun squirrel is a medium-sized to large squirrel of the genus and reaches an average head-trunk length of about 19.2 to 24.2 centimeters, the tail is about 22 to 26.7 centimeters long and the weight is around 250 up to 320 grams. The rear foot length is about 5.5 millimeters, the ear length 15 to 20 millimeters. The back and flank fur of the animals is medium gray, it is dense and thick. The underside is characterized by a clear white band that extends from the chin over the throat and stomach to the genitals. Depending on the subspecies, it is bordered on the belly by a cream-white to olive-colored area. The head and the outside of the legs are gray. The tail is comparatively long with about 110% of the head-trunk length, it is thin and has easily recognizable alternating gray and white rings.

distribution

The Rwenzori sun squirrel occurs in the mountainous regions in the border area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo with the neighboring states of Uganda , Rwanda and Burundi in Central Africa.

Way of life

The Ruwenzori sun squirrel lives in the mountain and bamboo forests in the highlands at altitudes of 1600 to 2700 meters, some subspecies are also found in lower forest stands, gallery forests, on the edges of forests and in sparse stands of trees, Heliosciurus ruwenzorii ituriensis is also found in disturbed areas and Heliosciurus ruwenzorii vulcanius detected in cultivated areas. The animals are diurnal and predominantly arboreal, preferring the lower vegetation areas to the treetops. They feed mainly herbivorous on various fruits, including those of Parinari holstii , Syzygium cordatum , Conopharyngia holsteii , Urera hypselodendron and Carapa species or of lichens of the genus Usnea . Occasionally they also eat insects. In the surrounding areas of agricultural land, they also feed on crops such as guavas , papayas , bananas and palm fruits. According to information from locals, the croissants set up storage facilities. Nests are built from leaves and twigs. The animals usually live solitary or in pairs, communication takes place via loud calls. Very little data are available on reproduction, a pregnant female with three highly developed young was caught in March.

Systematics

The Ruwenzori sun squirrel is classified as an independent species within the genus of the sun squirrel ( Heliosciurus ), which consists of six species. The first scientific description comes from Harold Schwann from 1904, who described the species as Sciurus rufobrachium ruwenzorii and thus as a subspecies of the red-footed sun squirrel (today Heliosciurus rufobrachium ) using individuals from the Ruwenzori Mountains in eastern Congo.

Within the species, four subspecies are distinguished with the nominate form :

Heliosciurus ruwenzorii ruwenzorii : nominate form; in the Ruwenzori Mountains in the west of Uganda and the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo up to an altitude of 2590 meters.

Heliosciurus ruwenzorii ituriensis : In the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo west of Lake Albert near Djalasinda and Djugu . The belly is darker than in the nominate form, the light band is not pronounced and the contrast to the back fur is correspondingly less. The tail is darker, the feet less brown.

Heliosciurus ruwenzorii schoutedeni : In the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from the west of the Eduardsee to the west of the Kiwu Lake around Kahuzi-Biega , in the north-west of Rwanda in the volcano national park and in the south-west of Uganda. The feet and the muzzle are brown, the peritoneum is beige on both sides of the white belly stripe.

Heliosciurus ruwenzorii vulcanius : In the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Mount Kandashomwa around Itombwe , in the southwest of Rwanda around the Nyungwe forest and in the northwest of Burundi. The back fur is sooty-brown, lightly speckled with sand-brown. The peritoneum on both sides of the white band is ocher, the feet are reddish.

Status, threat and protection

The Ruwenzori sun squirrel is classified as “least concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). This is justified with the relatively large distribution area and the assumed large and stable stocks. It is also found in numerous protected areas. There are no known risks to the company's existence. Regionally, the conversion of rainforests into agriculturally used areas as well as local deforestation for firewood production as well as slash and burn and coltan mining pose a threat to local populations .

supporting documents

↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f J. Kerbis Peterhans, Richard W. Thorington: Heliosciurus ruwenzorii, Ruwenzori Sun Squirrel. In: Jonathan Kingdon, David Happold, Michael Hoffmann, Thomas Butynski, Meredith Happold and Jan Kalina (eds.): Mammals of Africa Volume III. Rodents, Hares and Rabbits. Bloomsbury, London 2013, pp. 68-69; ISBN 978-1-4081-2253-2 .
↑ ^a ^b Richard W. Thorington Jr. , John L. Koprowski, Michael A. Steele: Squirrels of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2012; Pp. 230-231. ISBN 978-1-4214-0469-1
↑ ^a ^b ^c Heliosciurus ruwenzorii in the Red List of Threatened Species of IUCN 2015-4. Posted by: P. Grubb, J. Kerbis Peterhans, 2008. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
↑ ^a ^b Heliosciurus ruwenzorii In: Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Ed.): Mammal Species of the World. A taxonomic and geographic Reference. 2 volumes. 3. Edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 .

literature

Richard W. Thorington Jr. , John L. Koprowski, Michael A. Steele: Squirrels of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2012; Pp. 230-231. ISBN 978-1-4214-0469-1
J. Kerbis Peterhans, Richard W. Thorington: Heliosciurus ruwenzorii, Ruwenzori Sun Squirrel. In: Jonathan Kingdon, David Happold, Michael Hoffmann, Thomas Butynski, Meredith Happold and Jan Kalina (eds.): Mammals of Africa Volume III. Rodents, Hares and Rabbits. Bloomsbury, London 2013, pp. 68-69; ISBN 978-1-4081-2253-2 .

Web links

Heliosciurus ruwenzorii inthe IUCN 2015-4 Red List of Threatened Species . Posted by: P. Grubb, J. Kerbis Peterhans, 2008. Retrieved December 12, 2015.

[Peterhans_&_Thorington_2013-1] ↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f J. Kerbis Peterhans, Richard W. Thorington: Heliosciurus ruwenzorii, Ruwenzori Sun Squirrel. In: Jonathan Kingdon, David Happold, Michael Hoffmann, Thomas Butynski, Meredith Happold and Jan Kalina (eds.): Mammals of Africa Volume III. Rodents, Hares and Rabbits. Bloomsbury, London 2013, pp. 68-69; ISBN 978-1-4081-2253-2 .

[Thorington_et_al._2012-2] Richard W. Thorington Jr. , John L. Koprowski, Michael A. Steele: Squirrels of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2012; Pp. 230-231. ISBN 978-1-4214-0469-1

[IUCN-3] Heliosciurus ruwenzorii in the Red List of Threatened Species of IUCN 2015-4. Posted by: P. Grubb, J. Kerbis Peterhans, 2008. Retrieved December 12, 2015.

[Wilson_&_Reeder_2005-4] Heliosciurus ruwenzorii In: Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Ed.): Mammal Species of the World. A taxonomic and geographic Reference. 2 volumes. 3. Edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 .